Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

From the College

What Subliminal Cues Are Lurking in Your Waiting Room?

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The current managed care environment and declining reimbursement rates are forcing physicians to see more patients to break even. With a constant stream of new patients and appointments booked back to back, waiting has become an unavoidable patient experience in healthcare. In fact, many patients spend more time in the waiting room than in an exam room with a physician.

Recovery Audit Contractors: What Are the Facts?

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In March of 2008, by Section 302 of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Recover Audit Contractor (RAC) program was made a permanent addition to the Centers’ goal preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare system.

Find and Keep the Right Employees

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From the College” recently introduced the idea of tapping into your employees’ values as a way to build and maintain a high-functioning, successful, and loyal staff. This process is part of a larger management cycle—the Five Rs of physician leadership. Simply put, the Five Rs are designed to help physician leaders move from managing managers to coaching leaders. The Five Rs are recruitment, realization, recognition, redirection, and retention.

Members Comment on Drug Safety

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The ACR recently conducted a survey of U.S. members about the issue of drug safety, sources of information, and related issues. The survey netted 454 responses.

How to Win Over Information with Technology

Pamela J. Degotardi, PhD, ARHP President  |  

Information overload—it’s the bane of my life. Some days I’m tempted to unplug all the fancy electronic gadgets that were designed to “keep us connected” and make our lives easier but instead often threaten to overwhelm us with the pressing need to respond immediately whenever our inbox flashes the arrival of yet another urgent message. For me, the challenge has become how to manage the inflow of data, messages, and information; stay current with the advances in my professional field; and carve out some quiet time free from beeping and flashing electronic reminders that relentlessly demand a response.

Help Patients with Scleroderma Manage Musculoskeletal and Functional Limitations

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On March 10, Janet Poole, PhD, OTR, professor of the occupational therapy graduate program at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, will continue the ARHP’s Audioconference/Webcast Series with the management of scleroderma. Dr. Poole received her BS in occupational therapy from Colorado State University, her MA degree in educational psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and her PhD in motor learning/motor control from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Poole’s research interest is in scleroderma and the functional impact of the disease on the tasks of daily living, oral hygiene, parenting, and employment. She has conducted a number of studies examining rehabilitation interventions with people who have scleroderma and, with a colleague, is developing a self-management program for these patients. She has also authored several textbook chapters on rehabilitation for people with scleroderma.

Healthcare in the Obama Administration

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The ballots are counted, the run-off elections are complete, and a new administration and Congress are set to begin. You may recall that the mock election that was held during the 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting—78% of U.S. meeting attendees chose Barack Obama as their next president—and the general election echoed that choice. On January 20, Barack Obama was sworn in as the United States’ 44th President.

In America’s Recession, the REF Remains Strong

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According to a survey conducted in October 2008 by the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, three-quarters of the region’s leading foundations and corporate giving programs suffered a decline in assets because of plummeting returns on investments over 2008. About one-third of the respondents said they reduced grant budgets from 2007 to 2008, and about half of the organizations said they plan to award fewer grants in 2009.